Maharashtra relaxes norms for setting up Integrated Industrial Areas

To compete with neighbouring states such as Gujarat and Karnataka in attracting investment, the Maharashtra government today relaxed its norms for Integrated Industrial Areas (IIAs).

The state cabinet passed a resolution on Wednesday, which said that states such as Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu woo industries by providing them more facilities, hence the government was taking this decision.

The land utilisation ratio of industry to residential area has been revised from 60:40 to 80:20, which means more land would be available for industry, an official statement said.

The cabinet also approved an integrated mega project to promote ayurveda industry, tourism and education with an investment over Rs 1,000 crore.

Pune-based Centre for Perfect Health has tied up with the Netherlands-based Global Country of World Peace for technical support for the project.

The project, spread over 264 acres, is expected to generate direct and indirect employment for over 5,000 people, official sources said.

It will have initial investment of Rs 500 crore, and involve production of ayurvedic medicines, medicinal oils, processing of organic food products, an ayurveda college and an integrated treatment centre among other things, stated the the cabinet decision.

The state has also decided to set up 11 special courts for Divyang (disabled persons), senior citizens and neglected communities in 11 cities/towns. Over 11,000 cases related to persons from these categories are pending currently.

Rs 4.78 crore have been sanctioned for this purpose.

In another decision, the government permitted women employees in the state service to seek transfer to other revenue departments on the ground of ill-health of in-laws.

The state government today also decided to finance a film on the life 19th century social reformer Mahatma Phule. Production house for the film will be chosen through tendering.